Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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624. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department has undertaken an impact assessment of varying the accommodation recognition payment; and, if so, the findings of that assessment. [15829/25]

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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690. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department has undertaken an impact assessment of varying the accommodation recognition payment in respect of children and young people; and, if so, the findings of that assessment. [15830/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 624 and 690 together.

The proposal to reduce the payment has been brought forward following consultation with, and agreement by, the relevant Ministers, including the Ministers for Social Protection and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, as required by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, as well as the Minister for Justice. A draft order on the reduced payments must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas for consideration and approval before any such change can come into effect. The Deputy should note that the statutory functions relating to the Accommodation Recognition Payment scheme will shortly be transferred to the Minister for Justice.

In accordance with section 9(3) of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, before making any such order, the Minister shall have regard to:

(a) the number of persons who avail of the financial contribution (including where the scheme termination date is extended in accordance with section 4 (2)),

(b) the number of temporary protection beneficiaries to whom accommodation is provided by persons referred to in paragraph (a), and

(c) the cost to the Exchequer of the payment of financial contributions under this Part, but shall not have regard to the costs to persons referred to in paragraph (a) of provision of accommodation to temporary protection beneficiaries.

The reduction seeks to mitigate any unintended impact on the private rental sector. It is a means of winding down the scheme in an orderly and gradual way in the context of the end of the Temporary Protection Directive in March 2026. It also reflects other policy changes which aim to ensure that temporary and timebound supports for people who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are proportionate and equitable.

No separate impact assessment was carried out in respect of children and young people.